From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Igbos under the aegis of Igbo Community Association (ICA) have lambasted Gov Hope Uzodinma, Sen Orji Uzor Kalu and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, calling it a “fake endorsement” and vowing not to support the President.
President and leader of the association, Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, this weekend at an event in Abuja, said, “President Tinubu has not done enough to deserve such an myopic, self serving and narrow minded endorsements”
Ellis-Ezenekwe pointed out that “the Igbos in Nigeria feel marginalized and excluded from the nation’s economic and political mainstream. Such that many argue that Tinubu’s administration has perpetuated this unfortunately and negative trend, making the wicked style look like a normal acceptable national policy.
“Tinubu has been bad to NdIgbo and we will not vote for him again”.
“He is a failed President.”
Uzodimma, Umahi and Orji Kalu had rallied South East APC stakeholders behind Tinubu’s re-election bid recently in Enugu ought to be ashamed for portraying themselves as bread and butter politicians who should not in anyway speak on behalf of anyone, let alone NdIgbo.”
ICA citined the need for the region to reposition itself within Nigeria’s political landscape for respect, decency and honour.
ICA, the President noted sees this as a desperate attempt to clove undeserved support for Tinubu and his myopic leadership style.
“Igbos are not part of this endorsement,” said Ellis-Ezenekwe.
“This is a sham publicity stunt by Uzodinma and his co-travellers to boost their discredited own political career.”
ICA therefore call on other Nigerians to reject Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing his poor and ostentatious track record and lack of commitment to addressing the country’s pressing issues.
The Igbo community has dismissed Uzodimma’s claims that the APC is gaining strength in the South East, or Umahi’s atrocious claim that marginalization has been addressed, saying it’s a gross exaggeration and barefaced falsehood.
“APC is not popular in Igboland, because of these and more mindless relegation of Igbos” said Ellis-Ezenekwe.
“It’s only Uzodimma and a few others who are trying to force the party down our throats.”
They questioned Uzodinma group’s assertion that Tinubu’s reforms are yielding results, saying the opposite is actually the case.
“The economy is in shambles, insecurity is at its worst ever, and our children are suffering,” said Ellis-Ezenekwe. They named Lilu community in Ihiala Council of Anambra State where only one quarter of inhabitants have visited what was once their ancestral abode once in the past five years due to insurgency.
“What reforms is he talking about?”
The Igbo community is calling on the APC and Tinubu’s lifeless administration to be accountable to the people and address the pressing issues affecting the country.
“We want to see action, not just words, insisting that if Tinubu cannot deliver, he should immediately step aside and let someone else take over”
The ICA emphasized that they would mobilize against Tinubu’s re-election bid and ensure that he does not get the support he needs from the South East and other parts of Nigeria that share their concerns.
“This is not just about Igbo; it’s about Nigeria’s future,” said Ellis-Ezenekwe. “We will not sit back and watch our country be destroyed more.
“Nigeria is already comatose”, the association noted in pains.